As an innovative and collaborative Director of Communications, I build and lead teams of talented professionals who are passionate about communicating the mission, vision, and goals of organizations: most recently, guiding communications to 60,000+ Ascension employees nationwide plus targeted external audiences.I bring Accreditation in PR (APR) certification and 15+ years of communications experience, with particular expertise in healthcare and education.My core competencies include developing and executing strategic marketing and communications plans, ensuring clear and consistent messaging, driving results that influence change, managing goals / budgets / metrics, and serving as a liaison between programs, stakeholders, and media. My early background was TV producing and digital / social strategy.STRENGTHSStrategic communications • Message Development & Messaging • Branding • Communications strategy • Digital & social communications • Storytelling • Setting priorities & goals Leadership • People management • Content strategy • Copywriting & content development • Audience engagement • Media relations / PR • Advocacy & public affairs • Fundraising • Stakeholder relations • SEO & analytics • Content marketing • Coaching • Concise • Managing complex multimedia projects • Change leadershipHIGHLIGHTS Ascension Healthcare Led nursing retention and engagement communications strategies that slashed turnover in 12 months while improving employee NPS Launched internal leadership email campaigns that hit 75% open rate and increased compliance (e.g., 98% flu shot compliance). Revamped internal communications framework based on insights – launched site that drew top 1% internal hits – since adopted as a best practice enterprise-wide. Missouri University of Science & Technology  Achieved $2M in Tier 1 earned press coverage – WSJ, Bloomberg, Forbes, AP News, etc. – with $0. Grew donations 10+% YoY in role (even during COVID) via email marketing / postcard campaign. State of Missouri  Developed external website that won 1st prize in Missouri PR Associate Annual Marketing & Communications Contest – analytics showed +50% in site navigation based on visitor clicks.  Drastically increased social media engagement via targeted news and more original content – grew Twitter followers 20X and Facebook “likes” 10X. News Channel 3  Produced morning newscast on Channel 3 that became the No. 1 most-watched morning news show in Memphis – eventually lifted ratings across all Channel 3 news, making it the Memphis #1 news source.